The United Kingdom is investing more than $1 billion to fund cutting edge defense technology, said the country’s secretary of state for defense.

“At a time of growing threats — nuclear, conventional, state-based or terrorist — the United Kingdom is stepping up with bigger and stronger defense,” said Michael Fallon. “We are increasing our defense budget. We are increasing the size and power of our armed forces so that we can do more to protect our security. And in so doing, we aim to become an even stronger partner of our most steadfast ally, the United States.”

The United Kingdom will put $1.5 billion into an innovation fund that will help it secure an operational advantage in the future, he said during a December speech at the Atlantic Council, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.